Finding a Matchmaker While He Was at It

The three of them, led by Xu Mo, arrived at the main hall of the second courtyard.

The hall was lit, and a middle-aged scholar sat in the main seat in the center.

The man looked to be in his forties, with a lean face and a slightly worn official robe. He had a dignified air about him and did not look very much like Xu Mo, but they shared the same refined and noble air of a scholar.

This man is Xu Mo's father, Xu Jingting, who serves as an imperial censor in the Censorate. He is a well-known tough guy in the capital, and is known for his uprightness and outspokenness.

Xu Mo entered first and then turned to introduce himself to his father.

"Father, this is the young Young Master Shen Jingchuan that I often mention to you."

His tone carried a hint of pride.

"He was the one who amazed everyone at the poetry gathering back then, and wrote so many timeless masterpieces."

Shen Jingchuan and Zhou Tong stepped forward and bowed.

"Junior Shen Jingchuan greets Uncle Xu."

"Greetings, Uncle."

Upon hearing the name "Shen Jingchuan," Xu Jingting's eyes lit up, and he stood up, extending a hand to help him.

No need for formalities, no need for formalities.

His face was full of smiles:

"Young Master Young Master Shen, your name is renowned far and wide. It is my son's good fortune to have you as an acquaintance. Please, have a seat and some tea."

The three of them sat down as instructed, and a maidservant served them tea.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Jingting changed the subject and became serious.

"Young Master Shen, I heard from my servants that you come from Yuxi Prefecture."

"I have taken the liberty of inviting you here today because I wish to ask you personally what the current situation is like in Yuxi Prefecture."

Shen Jingchuan put down his teacup and sat up straight.

"Uncle, I know this matter very well."

He paused for a moment, then recounted everything he had seen and heard along the way.

"Yuxi Prefecture has been suffering from a severe drought, resulting in a complete crop failure. In the worst-hit areas, people have resorted to cannibalism, and countless people are starving to death by the roadside every day."

"But the government didn't care, and neither did the local gentry and powerful families. They just watched the people die, which drove them to rebellion."

Shen Jingchuan's tone was tinged with emotion.

"This momentum has now spread throughout Yuxi Prefecture and is continuing to reach surrounding prefectures and counties."

"They not only rebelled, but also opened granaries to distribute grain and provide relief to the people, allocated land to landless farmers, and organized people to dig wells and build irrigation canals to combat the drought."

"The people of Yuxi Prefecture now have a way to survive."

After listening, Xu Jingting leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

"Alas, a bunch of rebels, yet they've settled the people so well, giving them a way to survive." He shook his head, his expression complex. "It's lamentable that not a single one of my Great Qian Dynasty officials is willing to care. I have a guilty conscience."

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"However, it seems there are capable individuals among this gang of bandits."

"To manage such a huge mess so well, with everything from military and political affairs to civil administration, they're no ordinary bandits." Xu Jingting's eyes flickered. "This group is not simple."

Shen Jingchuan then asked.

"Uncle, I heard from Brother Xu that you are contacting your colleagues in the court, preparing to submit a joint petition? Aren't you afraid of being punished?"

Xu Jingting nodded calmly.

"Indeed." He said calmly, "I am an official who speaks out for the people and for the country; it is my duty."

"Since you're going to do it, you've already disregarded your life and fortune; what's there to be afraid of about being punished?"

Shen Jingchuan frowned and quickly offered some advice.

"Uncle, I admire your integrity. But now is not the time."

He leaned forward, his tone earnest.

"A large army is gathering outside the city, and battle is imminent. Submitting a letter at this time is tantamount to walking into a knife's edge."

"Besides, Yuxi Prefecture is already distributing grain and repairing water conservancy projects. Even if you petition for relief again, it may not be of any use. Why risk your life and the lives of these officials for nothing?"

Xu Jingting shook his head, his expression solemn.

"Young Master Shen, there's another reason why I'm submitting this letter."

"I wish to request an imperial decree for these people, to personally go to Yuxi Prefecture to offer them amnesty and persuade them to submit to the imperial court." His eyes gleamed. "If we can quell the fighting without bloodshed, how many fewer civilians could die?"

Shen Jingchuan shook his head inwardly, feeling that while Uncle Xu was indeed upright, he was also incredibly pedantic.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Uncle, please forgive my bluntness, but the outcome of this battle is still uncertain."

"I have observed them. The people of Yuxi Prefecture are well-trained and highly motivated. On the other hand, the Government Army are short of food and pay, and have not been engaged in combat for a long time. They may not be able to defeat us."

"The elite border troops in the north are tied down by foreign enemies and unable to move."

Shen Jingchuan looked at him, speaking each word clearly.

"Your matter of offering amnesty should be put on hold for now, wait a bit. Uncle, please listen to me, don't rush into it."

After listening, Xu Jingting remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"Young Master Shen, I understand what you're saying." His expression was stubborn, "But as an official responsible for remonstrating with the people, if I were to stand by and watch them suffer without doing anything, I would feel guilty."

Shen Jingchuan looked at him and sighed inwardly.

He and Xu Mo hit it off immediately and had a very good relationship. Naturally, he didn't want to see such a good family as the Xu Household end up with their property confiscated and their home destroyed.

He racked his brains, trying to find a reason to distract Xu Jingting from this stubborn matter.

The Yan Household is currently getting married and is in dire need of a high-ranking matchmaker. If Xu Jingting can agree to the role, it would be a win-win situation.

Just as he was about to say those words, he suddenly remembered something else.

He went to visit his elders empty-handed, without even bringing a gift.

He considered everything in his mind, and the only thing he had that was usable by an ordinary person was the Life-Extending Pill.

This thing is a heaven-defying treasure in the eyes of ordinary people, but in the cultivation world, it's not considered too outrageous.

Without making a sound, he reached into his robe and, using his clothes as cover, took out a small jade box from his Ring, making it look as if he had taken it from his robe.

He held the box with both hands and opened the lid.

"Uncle Xu, I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any gift for you." He said apologetically. "This is a pill called the Life-Extending Pill. It can regulate the body, cure diseases, strengthen the body, and prolong life."

He didn't dare mention the matter of adding fifty years to his lifespan, only saying that he wished to prolong his life, for fear of frightening this upright censor.

Upon seeing this, Xu Jingting quickly waved his hand and pushed it back with both hands.

"No, no!" He straightened his face. "You're a junior; how can you give such an expensive gift to an elder? I can't accept it."

"Furthermore, as an official responsible for remonstrating with the emperor, I am not allowed to accept gifts; this is the rule."

Shen Jingchuan held the box and smiled.

"Uncle, think about it, I'm just a commoner, I don't hold any official position, and I don't need you to do anything for me."

He spoke sincerely, "Xu Mo and I hit it off immediately; we're close friends. If I don't even bring a small gift when I visit your father tonight, it would make us a laughingstock."

"Please accept this gift; otherwise, I will feel very guilty."

Xu Jingting thought his words made sense, and after glancing down at it again, he realized it was just a pill and nothing serious, so he didn't insist any further.

"Very well, I'll accept it."

He was about to put the box away when Shen Jingchuan didn't let go and added another sentence.

"Uncle, please... take it now."

Xu Jingting was taken aback.

Why is that?